Simon Goodwin sacked by Melbourne Demons after weeks of turmoil

Courier-Mail

3 hours ago

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Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has been shown the door with three rounds remaining in the 2025 season.
Goodwin's fate was sealed on Monday night when he was told by the board his services were no longer required.
The premiership winning coach had faced an uncertain future thanks to the club's fall down the ladder with Code Sports' Jay Clark reporting the board had lost faith in the direction of the team under his leadership.
Goodwin was contracted through to the end of the 2026 season, however the club determined they wanted a change made instantly.
The 48-year-old, who led the club to the 2021 premiership, will receive a near one-million dollar payout.
According to reports, Demons players were set to be told the news on Tuesday morning, but the news has leaked out before they could hear it first hand.
The club is reportedly set to hold a press conference at midday.
Simon Goodwin is out as the coach of the Dees. Picture: Michael Klein
Goodwin had found himself on an increasingly hot seat as the Demons languish in the lower half of the ladder with a 7-13 record.
Despite all the growing noise, Goodwin was adamant he had the backing of the board in the wake of their historic loss to St Kilda two weeks ago.
'We're all very aligned about the process of where we need to go to, what we need to create success,' Goodwin said last week.
'We always knew that in this transition period that there would be challenges, our job is not to get consumed with the noise.
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'Our job is to go about the process … these conversations are ongoing and we're really clear about the strategy. I feel incredibly supported by the board, I have for nine years.
'I've been able to go through these challenges before with clarity and strength and stability to create success; 2019 we finished second last, two years later we won the flag.
'You can't get consumed in noise, all you can do is be clear with your strategy, clear with your process, understand challenge, be clear about it and go about the process to build the next great team – I feel incredibly supported by the board.'
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: Simon Goodwin, Senior Coach of the Demons looks on during the round nine AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 10, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Club great Garry Lyon was 'shocked' to learn of Goodwin's axing after being informed live on air Tuesday morning.
'I'm stunned, shocked, totally shocked,' Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
'I had no heads up on this whatsoever. Absolutely just shocked, I can't get my head around it.
'He won't be coaching a farewell game, that's something I can promise you.'
Lyon believed a call on Goodwin's future wouldn't be made until the end of the season before praising Goodwin as a hero for guiding the club to a drought-breaking premiership.
'I'm absolutely stunned. I thought there would be a long review at the end of this year and then determine whether he would coach out his final year,' he added.
'Premiership coaches are pretty rare at the Melbourne footy club. He's one of four.
'He will be a hero of this football club forever and a day, but that obviously doesn't guarantee your tenure.
'This is a massive call.'
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The club are facing an uncertain offseason with several star players finding themselves in swirling trade rumours.
Clayton Oliver was reportedly halfway out the door at the end of the 2024 season and is expected to once again find himself in the thick of trade talks.
Fellow midfield superstar Christian Petracca also contemplated a trade away from the club last season before ultimately staying put.
But with another lacklustre season in the books, rumours are already ramping up that the 29-year-old could be eyeing off greener pastures.
'Is the writing on the wall for Christian Petracca at Melbourne?,' Jay Clark posed on Fox Footy's The First Crack.
Simon Goodwin is gone, could Christian Petracca be out next? (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
'It doesn't feel like there's a (trade) market for Clayton Oliver at the moment and Jack Viney is a Demon for life. Petracca is the one who has been frozen out.
'Can he accept he could be more of a permanent forward at Melbourne as the new era settles in? Like Toby Greene. Or does he at 29 years of age still think he can be that superstar on-baller?
'Because if he does, maybe that has to be at another club. We talked a lot about Collingwood and Carlton last year, is the best fit for him Hawthorn?'
Melbourne will finish the 2025 season with games against the Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn and Collingwood.
The club has yet to announce who will take over as caretaker coach for the remaining games.
Originally published as AFL premiership coach Simon Goodwin sacked on the spot